Yankees overtake the Pirates 7-4 with the real baby bombers propelling them to the win!
Today at 1:05 pm, the New York Yankees met the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Florida, at LECOM Park, the spring training home of the Pirates located about 50 miles south of George M. Steinbrenner Field. LECOM is a very old stadium that was built in 1923 and has undergone several renovations. Chris Stratton started for the Pirates, and Jonathan Loaisiga started for the Yankees in his fourth outing of the season and his second start. The game was played under bright sunny skies and a game-time temperature of 65 degrees—a beautiful day for baseball. At the top of the first, the Yankees loaded the bases but failed to score. Jonathan Loaisiga put down the Pirates in the bottom.
Yankees in the second got two men on the corners, Gio Urshela got a single driving in Granite for the l-0 Yankee lead. Still, the lead was quickly evaporated by former Yankee catcher John Murphy who had a two-run homer for the Pirates 2-1 lead. It was Murphy’s third hit all home runs this spring training season. At the third inning, the Yankees loaded to bases but failed to score. The Pirates scored again in the bottom of the sixth as Josh Bell singles and Martin ran for him, Polanco doubled driving in Martin for the 3-1 Pirate lead.
The big take away from the game was the Yankees without most of their regular players at the top of the eighth inning; the “Baby Baby” Bombers took over for the Yankees. And take over they did. With the bases loaded in the eighth, Brandon Lockridge stepped to the plate and hit a long single that ended up knocking down the umpire and then knocked down the outfielder trying to catch the ball. Lockridge turned it into a triple driving in three runs for the first lead for the Yankees. Alverez singled driving in Lockridge for the 5-3 lead. The Yankee “Baby Baby” Bombers then reloaded the bases. Max Burt then walked in another run, followed by Zehner with his own walk for the Yankee 7-3 lead. Those young and up and coming players brought in 6 runs for the Yankees in one inning.
The Pirates managed another run in the bottom of the frame, but with last licks at the bottom of the ninth, the Pirates failed to rally for the Yankee 7-4 win. The winning pitcher was Jonathan Holder, and the losing pitcher was James Marvel. The patient hitting of the Yankees drew 14 walks in the game while they left 15 on base and went 4-14 with men in scoring position.  Starting pitcher, Jonathan Loaisiga gave up two runs in his two innings. Mike Ford got two hits in the game, and Kyle Holder got 3.